Louver window and actuating mechanism therefor



'June 9, 1953 l N. w. sNow n 2,641,465

LOUVER WINDOW AND ACTUATING MECHNISM 'THEREFOR Filed June 50, 1951 Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUVER WINDOW AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Neil W. Snow, South Pasadena, Calif.

Application June 30, 1951, Serial No. 234,518

15 Claims. l

This invention relates to louver windows and, more particularly, to a louver window the individual louvers of which are readily actuable by a mechanism constituted of a small number of relatively simple parts. Although the invention is described as applied to a louver window, the mechanism could be applied to any louver Aconstruction.

Louver windows conventionally consist of a plurality of rectangular panes which are mounted 4in a frame and which are adapted to be simultaneously opened and closed by linkages of various types attached to individual louvers of the window. In conventional louvers, various types of linkages have been provided to accomplish the concomitant opening or closing of the louvers of the window, such linkages incorporating levers attached to the edges of the louvers to accomplish the extension or retraction thereof and such levers being both unsightly and necessitating the provision for the attachment thereof to the edges of the louvers.

It is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide a louver window having an actuating mechanism which eliminates the necessity for the attachment to the individual louvers of the window of levers or other unsightly mechanisms which detract from the appearance of the window.

Another object of my invention is the provif sion of a louver window which includes an actuating mechanism for the individual louvers of the window which is concealed entirely within the jamb of the window, thus eliminating the necessity for the use of excrescences, such as levers or other expedients, which detract from the appearance of the window.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a louver window which incorporates an actuating mechanism consisting of a relatively small number of simple component parts which can be readily and quickly installed and which require little or no servicing to maintain it in optimum operating condition.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a louver window incorporating an operating mechanism which includes cam means disposable adjacent one edge of each 'of the louvers and operative on an element on each of said louvers to cause the opening and closing of each of said louvers.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a louver window which incorporates an actuating mechanism constituted, in part, by cam 'means juxtaposed to the louver pivots at one edge of each of the louvers and operative on means mounted on said pivots to open and close said louvers. Y

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a louver window of the aforementioned character in which said cam means includes a l'irst cam follower for opening a louver associated therewith and a second cam follower for closing and securing in closed position a louver associated therewith.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a louver window of the aforementioned type which includes a louver actuating mechanism incorporating cam actuating means operable, if desired, directly upon elements of individual louvers, such as an edge thereof, to cause the positive opening and closing of said louvers.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawing which is for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a partly sectional view of a louver window constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, partly sectional View taken from the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the cam means of the actuating mechanism of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a portion of the cam means of my invention taken on the broken line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, I show a louver window I0 which includes a frame Il which may be formed of metal, such as aluminum, wood, or similar material. The frame I l includes vertical jamb members I2 and I4 which are connected at their tops by a transverse rail l5 and at their bottoms by a sill I6. The frame Il defines a window opening I9 in which is disposed a plurality of louvers 20 formed of glass, plastic, or similar translucent or transparent material and acting, when closed, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, to seal the window opening I9. In the present embodiment of my invention, the louvers 20 are formed of a hard surfaced plastic material which tends to resist abrasion and whose translucent qualities equal those of glass. Each of the louvers 20 has its lateral edges encased in a El metal trim 22 and the upper and lower edges of the top and bottom louvers, respectively, are similarly encased in metal trim, as indicated at 23.

In order to insure that an airtight seal will be achieved between adjacent lower and upper edges of adjacent louvers, I have provided the lower and upper edges of adjacent louvers with interengaging, longitudinal serrations 25, as best shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawing, the provision of such serra-tions also permitting the upper and lower edges of adjacent louvers to interengage and present flush or substantially flush interior and exterior surfaces.

Each of the louvers has a pvot 2l' secured in the trim 22 on each opposite, lateral edge adjacent the upper edge thereof. The pivots 2l project through the side walls 28 of the jambs I2 and Iii into the interiors of the j ambs and are supported therein for rotation by means of bearings 35 secured to the interiors of the side walls 28 of the jambs, as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Although the pivots 27 are shown as secured in the edge trim 22 which mounts the louvers 2, it is conceivable that the edge trim 22 be dispensed with and that the pivots 2l be mounted directly in the edges of the louvers 25.

In order that the louvers may be opened or closed simultaneously and to the same extent, I provide a louver actuating mechanism 32 which is partially housed in the sill l5 and which has the majority of its operating components housed within the interior of the jamb lil. 'Ihe actuating mechanism 32 is constituted, in part, by cani means indicated generally at and best shown in Figs. 1-4 of the drawing. The cam means includes a plurality of cam blocks each cam block being mounted on a bracket 3l secured to the interior of the jamb le adjacent one `of the pivot pins 2l of the louvers 2a which projects into the interior of the jamb lll. 'Ihe cam blocks 35, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, are each provided with a lower angular rise portion 39 and an upper angular rise portion lll between which is located a dwell portion 4|. Provided in the rises 3Q and 61.0, respectively, and in the dwell portion lll of each cam block are longitudinal grooves i2 of arcuate cross section which intersect with a transverse groove 43 of arcuate cross section provided in the dwell portion 5H.

Support means .5 constituted by one leg l5 of an elongated, flexible cable is disposed in the interior of the jamb l5, as best shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawing, and is maintained upon drums il and @Si disposed, respectively, at the top and the bottom of the ja-rnb lll. The drum il is mounted upon a rotatable spindle 5| secured in the top of the jamb Hl while the drum i8 is mounted for rotation by a rotatable drive shaft 52 supported in the lower end of the jamb lil and running to the center of the sill i6 through the interior` thereof. The elongated, flexible cable may beY formed of wire or similar material and several turns of the cable are wound about each drum @l and i8 to insure that the rotation of the drive shaft 52 will cause vertical movement of the leg lvl in an appropriate direction, for a purpose to be described in greater detail below.

Mounted for vertical movement on the support means (l5 adjacent each cam block 36 are vertically spaced iirst and second cam followers 55 and 55, respectively, the vertical spacing of the camfollowers 55 and 55 being such that, when the first cam follower 55 lies in contact with the lower rise 39 of thecam block the second cam follower 56 lies in contact with the upper rise all) of the cam block 35. The cam followers 55 and 55 are substantially spherical in shape, as best shown in Figs. 1 4 of the drawing, and may be formed of hard rubber or metal beads which are pressed onto or otherwise flxedly secured about the periphery of the elongated, flexible cable leg 55.

Fastened on the ends of the pivots 2 which protrude into the interior of the jamb It, as by means of pins 58, are elongated, rectangular actuating elements 50, the major portions of the lengths of which depend below the longitudinal axes of the pivots 2 and small portions of the lengths of which protrude above the longitudinal axes of the pivots 2, for purposes which will be described in greater detail below. Formed in the upper portions of the actuating elements 60 in. the sides of the actuating elements which face toward the cam blocks 35 are recesses 6l, as best shown in el of the drawing.

Secured to the end of the drive shaft 52 is a pinion which, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, is in engagement with a worm 55 mounted upon a rotatable shaft 65 whose longitudinal axis is normal to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 52 and one of whose ends projects through the forward wall of the sill i6. Mounted on the projecting end of the shaft 55 is a crank 58 whose rotation is adapted to cause the rotation of the shaft il@ and the worm 65 mounted thereupon to cause the concomitant rotation of the drive shaft 52 and its associated drum 58. When such rotation of the drum :i8 occurs, the vertical translation of the elongated, flexible cable leg ff' will be accomplished, the movement of the crank lo in a clockwise direction causing the cam followers and 55 to be carried upwardly on the cable leg ri and the movement of the crank 58 in a counterclockwise direction causing the cam followers 55 and 5S to be carried downwardly on the cable leg 5B.

When it is desired to cause the simultaneous opening of the louvers 2i) of the louver window l0, the crank 53 is rotated in a clockwise direction, to cause the upward movement of the cam followers 55 and 55 from the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, which is the position assumed by the cam followers and 515 when the louvers 2S are in closed position, to the position shown in Fig. a of the drawing, whereby the louvers 2d will be maintained in maximum open position. As the upward movement of the flexible cable leg i6 causes the upward movement of the rst cam follower 55, the cam follower 55 is carried upwardly along the lower rise 39 in the arcuate groove l2 provided in the surface of the lower rise 3&3. The arcuate groove S2 in the loi-rer rise 39 prevents lateral mislocation of the cam follower 55 with respect to the under side of the actuating element 5i? and, as the first cam follower 55 moves upwardly in the groove 52, it engages the under side of the actuating element E@ to force the actuating element 50 outwardly in the direction shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, to cause the concomitant rotation of the pivot 2l by the outward movement of the actuating element 5S and the simultaneous pivoting of its associated louver 2Q of the window l!) in an outward direction to causethe opening thereof.

As the rst cam follower 55 is moved upwardly by the upward. movement of the, flexible cable leg 45, the actuating element Gli is moved farther and farther outwardly in a direction away from the cam blockA 36 until the firstcam follower 55 reaches the transverse arcuate groove 43 in the dwell portion of the cam block 36 wherein it is then seated. The seating action of the first cam follower 55 in the transverse groove 43 of the cam block 36 is transmitted through the flexible cable leg 46 and is felt by the operator through the drive shaft 52, the shaft 66 and the crank 68, to indicate to the operator that the maximum adjustment of the louvers 20 of the window I6 has been accomplished. Furthermore, when the crank 68 is released subsequently to the seating cf the rlrst cam follower 55 in the transverse groove 43 of the cam block 36, the groove 43 maintains the first cam follower 55 in position and prevents inadvertent dislocation of the louver associated therewith from its open position.

It will be noted that, as the rst cam follower 55 is moved upwardly by the upward movement of the flexible cable leg 46, the second cam follower 56 also moves upwardly to prevent it from impeding the rotational movement of the actuating element 60 on the pivot 21. As the rotation of the actuating element 66 induced by the first cam follower 55 continues, the upper portion of the actuating` element is rotated toward the cam block 36 causing the walls of the recess 6l therein to pass over the portion of the length of the cable leg 46 between the first and second cam followers 55 and 56 to prevent the cable leg 46 from wedging against the upper edge of the actuating element 60.

When it is desired to close the louvers 26 of the louver window l0, the crank 63 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to cause the cable leg 46 to be shifted downwardly. Such downward shifting of the cable leg 46 causes the first cam follower to be unseated from the transverse, arcuate groove 43 in the dwell portion 4l of the cam block 36 and carries the cam follower 55 downwardly along the lower rise portion 35 of the cam block 36 in the groove 42 until it assumes the position shown in Figs. 1 3 of the drawing. Simultaneously, the second cam follower 56 is carried downwardly on the flexible cable leg 46 until it reaches a position in which it engages the upper rise portion 40 of the cam block 36 and the arcuate groove 42 formed therein.

When such engagement between the upper rise portion 46 of the cam block 36 and the second cam follower 56 occurs, the second cam follower 56 enters the recess `6| formed in the upper end of the actuating element 66 to cause the actuating element 6!) to be rotated in a direction which will cause the simultaneous rotation of the louver 20 associated therewith toward a closed position. When the second cam follower 56 reaches its lowermost position, as best shown in Figs. 1-3 of the drawing, it is seated in the groove 42 in the upper rise portion 46 of the cam block 36 and the recess 6| provided in the upper end of the actuating element 66. When so positioned, the second cam follower 56 locks the louver with which it is associated against inadvertent opening by preventing the rotation of the actuating element 6U on the pivot 21 with which it is associated; Thus, in addition to serving as a means for causing the positive closure of the louver with which it is associated, the second cam follower also serves to lock the louver `against inadvertent opening.

Although I have shown and described the cam means 34 of my invention as including first and second cam followers 55 and 56, it is conceivable that the louver window actuating mechanism 32 be provided with either a first cam follower 55 or a second cam follower 56. For instance, the

louver window could be provided with first cam followers 55 to cause the opening of the louvers 20 of the window and the closing of the louvers 26 would be accomplished by the force of gravity and, perhaps, a spring associated with each of the louvers to cause the positive closure thereof as the first cam followers 55 were moved downwardly on the iiexible cable leg 46.

In addition, it would be feasible to operate the louver window by the use of second cam followers 56 only. For instance, the louvers might be sprung in such a manner that they would open unless restrained against opening movement by the locking action of the second cam followers 56. Therefore, if it were desired to open such a window, it would be merely necessary to raise the second cam followers 56 to release the louvers 20 of the window to permit the springs associated therewith to move the louvers into open positions and to move the second cam followers 56 downwardly to move the louvers into closed positions against the opening bias of the springs associated therewith.

Shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing is an alternative embodiment of my invention in which the cam means 34 thereof is directly operative upon an edge of a louver 20 with which it is associated or upon the metal trim 22 encompassing said edge. A construction such as this eliminates the necessity for mounting the cam means 34V in the interior of the jamb of the window and the necessity for providing for actuating elements 66 mounted on the pivots 21 since the first and second cam followers 55 and 56 engage the edge of the louver with which they are associated and cam the louver outwardly by direct operation thereupon.

I thus provide by my invention a louver window which dispenses with the necessity of opening the louvers of the window by the provision of levers attached to the edges thereof which detract materially from the appearance of the window and which require that space be provided for their accommodation. In addition, my invention utilizes cam means adapted both to cause the positive opening and closing of the louvers of the window and to maintain the louvers in either open or closed position. In addition, the actuating mechanism which constitutes my invention is exceedingly simple in construction and can be easily and readily installed at ymoderate cost.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a louver window constituted by a plurality of louvers, the combination of: a fixed cam juxtaposed to an edge of each of said louvers and mounted on a frame member of said window; longitudinally shiftable supporting means disposed in said frame member adjacent said cam; a cam follower positioned adjacent said cam and supported on said supporting means for longitudinal movement over said cam; an element on said edge of each of said louvers engageable by said follower; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers outwardly simultaneously in a direction away from said cam.

2. In a louver window constituted by a plurality of louvers, the combination of a fixed cam juxtaposed to an edge of each of said louvers and mounted on a frame member of said window; longitudinally shiftable supporting means adjacent said cam; a cam follower positioned adjacent said camand supported Qnd Said SuppOlillg,

means for longitudinal movement 'over said cam on said frame member and for lengagement with an element of each of said vlouvers; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said follower over said sam to urge each of said louvers 'outwardly simultaneously in a direction away from said cam.

3. In a louver window constituted by a plurality of louvers, the combination of: a rlxe'd 'earn juxtaposed to an edge of each of said louvers and mounted on a frame member of said window; supporting means adjacent said cam; a cam follower positioned adjacent said supported on said supporting means for longot-udinal move ment over said cam; an Yelement on said Yedge of each of said louvers engageable by said follower; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said follower ovei` said cam to urge each of said louvers inwardly simultaneously in a direction toward vsaid earn.

4. In a louver window constituted by a plurality 'of louvers, the combination of: a cam juxtaposed to an edge of each of said louvers; supporting means adjacent :said cam; a iirst lcani follower positioned adjacent said cam and supported on said supporting means; a second cam follower positioned adjacent said cam and supported lon said supporting means; an element on said edge of each of said louvers engageable by said fol lowers; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving first folM lower over said cam to urge each `of said louvers outwardly in a direction away from said cam and for moving said second follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers inwardly in a direction toward said cam.

5. In a louver window constituted by a plurality of louvers, the combination of: a cam juxtaposed to an edge of each of said louvers; supporting means adjacent said cam; arst cam follower positioned below said cam and supported on said supporting means; a second cam follower positioned above said cam and supported on said sup'- porting means; an element on said edge of ea'cli of said louvers engageable by said followers; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said 'first follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers outwardly in a direction away from said cam 'and for moving said second follower over said carri to urge eacli of said louvers inwardly in a direction toward said cam.

6. In a louver window constituted by a plurality of louvers, the combination of: a Cain juxtaposed to an edge of each of said louvers; elongated, flexible supporting means adjacent said cam; a cam follower positioned adjacent said cam and supported on said supportingrneans for engagement with an element of each of said louvers; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers outwardly in a direction away from said cam.

7. In a louver window, the combination of :v a window opening dened in part' by laterally spaced jambs; a plurality of louvers pivotally mounted in said jambs; a cam disposed in one' of .said jambs adjacent each of said louvers;` suph` porting means positioned in saidv one jainb adjacent said' cam; a cam followed positioned adjacent said cam and supported on said. supporting` means; an element on an edge of' e'a'ch of said louvers engageabl'e by said follower;` and' an ac'- tuator operatively connected to said supporting means for; moving" said followerV overl saidi carri' e to 'urge each 'O'f said louvers outwardly a- 'die rec'tion away from said ca'fn.

8. lvIn a louver window, the combination of; window opening 'dened in part by laterally spaced jambs; a plurality of louvers pivotally mounted irl said jainbs; a' cam disposed in one of said jambsl adjacent each of said louvers spfporti-ng means positioned in said one jamb elija-'- cent said cam; 'a cam follower positioned adiac'ent said lcam and supported on said supporting means; an element on an edge of 'e'ali of said louvers engageableby said follower; and an actuator operatively connected to said support' ing means for moving said follower over said yearn to urge 'ea-ch of said louver-S inwardly 4in dotion toward said cam. l

9. In a louver window, the combination off:N a window opening defined in part by laterally spaced .jambs; a plurality of louvers p'ivo'tally mounted in said jainbs; arc'am disposed in one of said jambs adjacent 'each of said louvers; sup*- porting means positioned in said one jamb adjae cent said cam; a 'first calin follower positioned 'ad-- jacent said cani and supported on said supporte ing means; a second cam follower positioned adjacent said 'cam 'and supported on said sup'- porting means; an element on an edge' of each of said louvers engageable' by said followers;- and 'an actuator operatively connected to said slip; porting means for moving said rst cam follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers out' wardly in a direction away from said camand for moving said second cani follower over said cani to urge each of said louvers inwardly in a direc; tion toward said cam'.

10. In a louver window, the combination of; a window opening defined in part by lateralljI spaced jambs; a plurality 'of louvers pivotally mounted in said jambs; a cain disposed in one of said jainbs adjacent each f said louvers; sup-"- porting means positioned inv said one jainb adja-- cent said cam; a first cam follower positioned be# low said cam and supported on said supporting means; a second cam follower positioned above said cam and supported on 'said supporting means; an element on a'n edge f each ofsaid louvers engageable by said followers; and a aol tuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said iirst cani follower dvr said cam to urge' each of said' louvers outwardly in' a direction away froiri said a and for IiOV-4 mg said seco-nd @am follower over said @sin to urge each of said louvers' riwa'rdiy in @ii-ree: tion toward said cam.

11.. In a 10m/er window, die oofnbnati of: a window opening desees, part, by llanera, y' spa-ced jambs; a plurality' of louvers mounted on pivots journall'ed saidI jafnbs'j a can i-oii'te ed in one of s'aidjambs adjacent each of said plv; ots in said one jamb'; spprtin'g" ins posi: dones in said oneA jams ad'ja'ent said can cani follower positioned in said ori jamb' adja` cent said' Cain' and supported' n' said supporting means; an elerne'rit mounted on each of said pivots in said one jaime engageabie ty' said for: lower; and ari" actuator" operatively Connected to said' supporting means for moving said foi r overV said cam' to urg'e each of said louvers"y out; wardly in'dfdre'otio'n away freni' said cani 12. In a louver window, the combination of a window opening' defined, part', by laterallyV spaced jainbs; a plurality of louvers mounted on pivots joornaiieu' in' said Janes; a @am mounted in one ofasaisijambs' adje" 'nt eaeii f said pivots 1n;A saidon'jb; suppingf inns positioned,

in said one jamb adjacent said cam; a cam follower positioned in said one jamb adjacent said cam and supported on said supporting means; an element mounted on each of said pivots in said one jamb engageable by said follower; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means i'or moving said follower over said cam to urge eacn of said louvers inwardly in a direction toward said cam.

13. In a louver window, the combination of: a window opening defined, in part, by laterally spaced jambs; a plurality of louvers mounted on pivots journalled in said jambs; a cam mounted in one of said jambs adjacent each of said pivots in said one jamb; supporting means positioned in said one jamb adjacent said cam; a rst cam follower positioned in said one jamb adjacent said cam and supported on said supporting means; a second cam follower positioned in said one jamb adjacent said cam and supported on said supporting means; an element mounted on each of said pivots in said one jamb engageable by said followers; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said iirst follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers outwardly in a direction away from said cam and for moving said second follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers inwardly in a direction toward said cam.

14. In a louver window, the combination of a window opening defined, in part, by laterally spaced jambs; a plurality of louvers mounted on pivots journalled in said jambs; a cam mounted in one of said jambs adjacent each of said pivots in said one jamb; supporting means positioned in .f

said one jamb adjacent said cam; a rst cam follower positioned in said one jamb below said cam and supported on said supporting means; a second cam follower positioned in said one jamb above said cam and supported on said supporting means; an element mounted on each of said pivots in said one jamb engageable by said followers; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said first follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers outwardly in a direction away from said cam and for moving said second follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers inwardly in a direction toward said cam.

15. In a louver window, the combination of: a Window opening defined, in part, by laterally spaced jambs; a plurality of louvers mounted on pivots journalled in said jambs; a cam mounted in one of said jambs adjacent each of said pivots in said one jamb; elongated, flexible supporting means mounted in said one jamb adjacent said cam; a cam follower positioned in said one jamb adjacent said cam and supported on said supporting means; an element mounted on each of said pivots in said one jamb engageable by said follower; and an actuator operatively connected to said supporting means for moving said follower over said cam to urge each of said louvers outwardly in a direction away from said cam.

NEIL W. SNOW.

References Cited in the file of this patent 'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,889,703 Schon Nov. 29, 1932 1,891,485 Tracy Dec. 20, 1932 2,165,351 Derveaux July 11, 1939 2,281,071 Knudsen Apr. 28, 1942 

